Working with the Water Element: Deep Dives into Balance and Spiritual Connection

The elements are our oldest ancestors.

Before there was anything else, there was earth, air, fire, and water. The elements reflect our own individual strengths, passions, and weaknesses. The complementary relationship of soil, wind, flame, and stream to Earth is a lesson for the balance needed in our own existence—the spirit.

Working with the elements can help you create balance in life and see where there is an excess of energy.

The element of water represents emotions, dreams, the subconscious, purification, blood, and the metaphysical aspects of life. In tarot, the suit of cups is associated with water. This element is where we dive deep into self-discovery and what lies beyond. It is about courage, strength, and will, about the new life that we create and unneeded things that need to die so we can change. Water is the acceptance of our mortal self and insight into the parts of us that are immortal.

Connecting With The Element Of Water

One of the best ways to strengthen your connection with the element of water is to find a water source and go for a swim. Some say that natural bodies of water—lakes, rivers, ponds, the ocean—are ideal, but if you don’t have access to these, a swimming pool will do just fine. Don’t have a swimming pool? Hop in your tub or take a shower. The point is to make the time to immerse yourself in some form of water.

Take a moment to notice how you feel before, during, and after your time in the water. After a good water cleanse, you’ll get a good sense of the power of this element. How does the water feel on your skin? Any anxiety, pain, stress, or worry you may have just released into the water. Let the water wash over you and cleanse you of the heaviness you may be carrying.

Other ways to connect with this element is taking a walk in the rain, or just listening to the sound of it falling outside your window. You can also play recordings of ocean waves or thunderstorms to get the feeling of water flowing through your life.

Practicing Going With The Flow

One of the greatest lessons you can learn from the element of water is the idea of “going with the flow”. If you’re like me, and a bit of a control freak, this concept is super hard to master. How many times in your life are you constantly going against the current? It can be exhausting and feel like you aren’t going anywhere. Water teaches us that in some instances, it’s best to relinquish control and let the current take us where we need to go.

Ancestral Work

Any type of ancestral work is due to our connection through the water. Everything we've ever received from our ancestors has been imbued into our genetic code. We can use water to backtrack our roots and make contact with our ancestors so we can learn from them and inherit their knowledge. Akashic records belong to the water element, as do techniques to access those.

Spiritual Associations With Water

Energy: receptive, feminine
Direction: West, guarded by the archangel Gabriel
Tools: chalice, cauldron
Colors: blue, green, indigo, black
Season: Autumn
Zodiac Signs: Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio
Some Magical uses: Water can be used for scrying and is also a base ingredient for most magical teas & potions.

Other associations